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BOZEMAN- Snow season is just starting, the ski hills are just opening and avalanche activity is already underway.

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center reports that high winds on mountain tops have been increasing the slide dangers in Hyalite Canyon, Lone Mountain, Beehive Basin, the northern Bridgers and Targee Pass near West Yellowstone. H

"What we have is a dense wind slab sitting over weak sugary facets near the ground. This is a recipe that we've seen in this area and Doug found it up near Hyalite Peak as well," the center's Eric Knoff explained.

The Avalanche Center says there's limited data on conditions near Cooke City, a popular snowmobiling area, but that avalanche dangers are likely to be similar